Housing project given $500,000 discount: Greens

The Greens say they have a document showing the developer behind a massive Hunter Valley housing project has been given a $500,000 discount for project processing fees.

Plans have been re-submitted for the $1.8 billion Huntlee development near Branxton, after it was withdrawn last year due to a controversial land swap deal.

One of the development partners, Hardie Holdings, has previously made significant donations to the Labor Party.

Cessnock Greens Councillor, James Ryan, says he is suspicious about the processing fees for the project application.

"The old Huntlee proposal was a 600 hectare proposal so that would make the fee payable for this application $620,000 and we have an email that is in papers in Parliament House which suggests that they're being asked to pay $70,000," he said.